NO CHARGE FOR LOVE A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups.And set about nailing it to a post on theedge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post,he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into theeyes of a little boy. "Mister," he said,"I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed thesweat of the back of ! his neck,"These puppies come from fine parents andcost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head for a moment.Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and heldit up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-ninecents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said the farmer, and with that he let out a whistle. Here, Dolly!" he called.Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced withdelight. As the dogs made their way to thefence,the little boy noticed something elsestirring inside the doghouse. Slowly anotherlittle ball appeared, this one noticeablysmaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in asomewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others,doing itsbest to catch up.... "I want that one,"the little boy said, pointing to the runt.The farmer knelt down at the boy's side andsaid, "Son, you don't want that puppy.He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would. " With thatthe little boy stepped back from the fence,reached down, and began rolling up one legf his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a speciallymade shoe. Looking back up at the farmer,he said, "You see sir, I don't run too wellmyself, and he will need someone who understands. " With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefullyhe handed it to the little boy. "How much?" asked the little boy. "No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."
--- Author Unknown ---
/10:42 AM
